“There were so many moments when I was shooting Rocky Horror and I’d be exhausted,” the Orange is the New Black star recounts. “My body would be hurting and I’d be like, ‘Beyoncé. Beyoncé does this.’ You have to just put in the work.”

Cox – who recreates iconic pictures of her biggest heroes in the shoot – thought of the pop superstar during the photography session because she “represents excellence” and has a work ethic “like nobody else I’ve ever seen.”

Another prominent musician who inspires Cox is Tina Turner, who she says helps speaks for black women who have been victims of abuse.

“The pain, pleasure and agony of all she’s been through is in her voice,” Cox says about the legendary singer. “Her story is the story of so many black women who’ve endured abuse and come out the other side in such a brilliant, beautiful way.”

The actress and activist also talked about how Tracey Africa, a trailblazing black trans model in the ’70s, paved the way for her career now.

“People think, ‘Oh, this trans revolution is just starting,’ but we’ve been around for a very long time,” Cox says. “It’s important to know that there’s been a path blazed for me.”